Bending the pole

[frozensteele]

I know there are alot of posts about this topic but I just have a quick question My coach said the best way to bend the pole is to just hold high and run really fast and really drive my knee hard on the plant. He also said using my arms could first off injure me (I have a really bad left shoulder) and possibly slow down my momentum. Then I come here and people are saying to drive up with your arms. So, which is it? Thanks for any clarification!

[zack]

Whoa hold on. I assume you are learning how to bend for the first time. Holding high and trying to run fast will ONLY GET YOU HURT! Since no one else has posted yet I would recommend running from 3 left steps with a low grip (like where you hold when you straight pole from there) on a pole that you know you should be able to bend easily like maybe a 12' pole if you're a guy (at your body weight). then you can slowly work your grip up and run back as you start rotating the pole to vertical. You do need to drive your right knee and your arms MUST be pressed straight up over your head. Feel free to ask any other questions you have. Some of the people on this board have been coaching for longer then you've been alive.

[frozensteele]

Yea, I am just learning how to bend. I am glad that I came here because my coach is a really bad coach. Just the way he treats us, its dispicable. Anyways, that's another story. I'm kind of confused. Are you saying to bend it from a three step and holding low? I use a 13' 160 what pole should I use to try this? Thanks for the help!

[Fo_Sheezy]

Do you go to Temecula Valley HS? We have a vaulter/good friend of mine on our team that moved from Temecula after her freshman year. She is a junior now. Just wondering, thats all. Temecula caught my eye.

[PVJunkie]

Learn to swing before you learn to bend. Its a heck of a lot easier that way. Thats what most people are refering to when they say you shouldnt worry about bend until you can straight pole over about 10'6" - 11'6". Not to mention that in a proper teaching progression that would be the way it would be done.

[frozensteele]

I actually go to Chaparral High School, Temecula is our "Cross-Town Rivalry!". We actually have a meet against them this Wednesday. What is her name and what is your name?

Anyways, I got 9'6" in practice this week straight pole vaulting so my coach really wants me to learn how to bend soon. But this Wednesday is our last meet of the season and I didn't qualify for League in Pole Vault (I did in Discus though ) so I will just have to wait for the camps that we are all going to in the summer!

[VAULTNJAY]

Hey this is coach Diaz at Murrieta Valley you can always call/ email me if you need help. I am not sure which vaulter you are but please dont worry about the pole bending. You need to work on getting a good angle at take off and swinging a good trail leg. Bending poles will come, from that. Good luck and I will see you at League Finals.
JTD